A speaking valve adapter is disclosed for assisting with speech or language expression during the respiratory recovery of a human. The speaking valve adapter including a speaking valve port, the port being orthogonal to a first interface port, the first interface port adapted to support tracheostomy or endotracheal tubing, a second interface port adapted to support at least one of a suction tubing and a bronchoscopy tubing, and a third interface port adapted to support a connection to a ventilator. The speaking valve adapter may be used by the patient for introduction of at least one of sounds and words while connected to the ventilator. A corresponding respiratory management system which implements the speaking valve adapter and configurable ventilator settings adapted for assisting with more effective speech or language expression during patient recovery or use is also disclosed.

A automatic variable frequency electrolarynx with a microcontroller that generates a random but controlled frequency that creates a random tone. The controlled random tone allows the user of the electrolarynx to use the device without the monotone of standard electrolarynx. The electrolarynx also includes an encoder that allows the user to easily adjust the base tone of the device. The electrolarynx also includes an integrated LED light in the on/off switch to indicate whether the encoder is in volume control or tone control mode. The microcontroller also conducts an automatic power source check, and produces a musical tone when the battery is low.

The invention relates to a speech valve for laryngectomy or tracheotomy patients, comprising a cover element, a housing part and a filter, the cover element comprising a piston-shaped closure element and said closure element being connected to the cover element to form one piece therewith. The cover element comprises an elastic material and by deforming at least part of the cover element the closure element closes the speech valve distally of the filter.

A speech synthesis device detects beta peak firings corresponding to intended vocalizations by a subject having a scalp, a mastoid process and a speech motor cortex. A EEG electrode and a negative electrode are disposed on the scalp of the subject adjacent to the speech motor cortex. A transmitter is electrically coupled to the electrodes, and is configured to transmit wirelessly electronic representations of the neural potentials detected by the electrodes. A remote unit receives the electronic representations of the neural potentials from the transmitter. The remote unit is programmed to: detect beta peaks firings in the neural potentials; correlate the beta peaks firings with beta peaks associated with phonemes, words and phrases; and generate audible representations of the phonemes, words and phrases.

An implant system for treating glottic insufficiency includes an implant, which includes a balloon with a port connector or a catheter and a band comprising a proximate end attached to a portion of the balloon that translates away from the port connector or the catheter when the balloon is inflated through the port connector or the catheter.

A speaking valve adaptor is disclosed for assisting with speech or language expression during the respiratory recovery of a human. The speaking valve adaptor including a speaking valve port, the port being orthogonal to a first interface port, the first interface port adapted to support tracheostomy or endotracheal tubing, a second interface port adapted to support at least one of a suction tubing and a bronchoscopy tubing, and a third interface port adapted to support a connection to a ventilator. The speaking valve adaptor may be used by the patient for introduction of at least one of sounds and words while connected to the ventilator. A corresponding respiratory management system which implements the speaking valve adaptor and configurable ventilator settings adapted for assisting with more effective speech or language expression during patient recovery or use is also disclosed.

The present invention provides a voice assist apparatus capable of vocalization in a near-natural voice by correctly flowing and blocking voice assist gas during expiration and inspiration, respectively, of a patient even when the pressure inside the operation tube relatively slightly increases and decreases. In the voice assist apparatus, the main body has a first chamber connected with a second end of the voice assist gas-inlet tube, a second chamber connected with a second end of the voice assist tube, a third chamber connected with a second end of the operation tube, a dividing wall dividing between the first chamber and the second chamber except an opening communicating the first chamber with the second chamber, and a membrane formed elastically deformably to open and close the opening and isolates the third chamber from the first chamber and the second chamber.

A method to treat glottic insufficiency includes creating a window in a thyroid cartilage and inserting an implant through the window and into a paraglottic space. The implant includes a balloon with a port connector and a band comprising a proximate end attached to a portion of the balloon. The method further includes securing the band to a thyroarytenoid muscle complex and inflating the balloon to pull on the band, which in turn pulls on the thyroarytenoid muscle, which in turn rotates an arytenoids cartilage to medialize and tighten a vocal cord.

A method to treat glottic insufficiency includes creating a window in a thyroid cartilage and inserting an implant through the window and into a paraglottic space. The implant includes a balloon with a port connector and a band comprising a proximate end attached to a portion of the balloon. The method further includes securing the band to a thyroarytenoid muscle complex and inflating the balloon to pull on the band, which in turn pulls on the thyroarytenoid muscle, which in turn rotates an arytenoids cartilage to medialize and tighten a vocal cord.

An electrolarynx includes tone-producing circuitry, a power switch to turn on the circuitry, a control button (i.e., a pushbutton) to actuate the power switch, a pressure-sensitive-resistor (PSR) that is physically coupled to the pushbutton, and a mode switch. PSR resistance is dependent on the amount of pressure applied to the pushbutton, and the tone-producing circuitry is configured to respond to such variations in PSR resistance according to a user-selected mode of electrolarynx operation set by operation of the mode switch. Said modes preferably include multiple frequency-varying modes (FVMs) in which the frequency of the electrolarynx tone is varied with different sensitivities to variations in PSR resistance, and multiple volume-varying modes (VVMs) having different sensitivities. A preferred embodiment also includes a communications-link mode, for receiving control information from an external device, and a disabled mode. Preferably, the tone-producing circuitry includes a microcontroller component that is configured for electrolarynx operation under program control.